Page 38 of Magic Cursed

He makes a noncommittal grunt, and his expression gives nothing away.

I eye him. How hadn’t I realized he was there? Was I really so caught up in the moment with Kellan that I didn’t hear him? I’m getting sloppy.

I start to open my door again but as Daimis passes by he says, “Kellan won’t be able to get you the books you’re looking for.”

I turn to him. “You were there that whole time? But I didn’t hear you.”

He faces me again smirking. “I don’t mean to brag, but. . .” He shrugs, a beautiful deliberate gesture.

Okay, I’ll play. I shut my partially-opened door, and lean my back against it, crossing my arms over my chest. “Why won’t he be able to get me the books?”

Daimis looks pleased, as if he was hoping I’d take the bait, and mimics my stance, leaning against the wall across from me. His usually green eyes catch the candlelight in a way that pulls yellow forward, making me think of a cat’s. “Because none of the magic books that survived the Blood Moon contain anything about shadow demons.”

I glance nervously at the guard down the hall.

Daimis follows my gaze. “He’s not within earshot, you may speak freely.”

“How do you know none of them contain info about the shadow demons?”

“I read them all, as soon as I got back.” He says it so casually. As if talking about reading magic books isn’t a one-way ticket into ash-steel chains. I’ve seen people get brought in by the Steel Guard for merely uttering the word magic. But then again, he’s the prince, and will soon be king. I suppose he can get away with anything he wants.

“Why?”

A brow lifts. “Why wouldn’t I? I want to try and find a way to protect my people from the shadow demons.” His eyes shift away from mine like he’s remembering something. I wonder if he saw the husked-out people in the marketplace.

“And I’m assuming you’ve searched the caves too?” I ask. “To be sure no magic books were left behind? The athenaeum is enormous, I can imagine a book or two might have been overlooked.”

Daimis tenses and those cat-like eyes narrow. I quickly realize my mistake. “How do you know about the athenaeum in the caves and that magic books were kept down there years ago?”

That was stupid of me. I will myself to look relaxed and not at all as alarmed as I feel. “I met someone once who worked here.” A risky lie. “She told me all about the castle, including the athenaeum.”

He doesn’t look convinced. “What’s her name?”

I’m on dangerous ground now. “Beth Mathenson.” She was the gardener’s daughter and the only other girl in the castle who played with me. The problem is, I don’t know what happened to her after the Blood Moon. For all I know she could still be here. If Daimis questions her, she will reveal my lie.

Daimis’s shoulders relax. “Ah, Beth. We always wondered what happened to the Mathenson family. They disappeared the night of the Blood Moon. Many did. When did you speak to her last?”

I try not to look too relieved. I shrug. “A couple of years ago. I met her and her family on the road, we shared a night’s meal before going our separate ways.”

He huffs. “Hope you didn’t steal from them. They were good people.”

I don’t know why the slight jab hurts as much as it does. “We can’t all grow up royal,Princess. When you’re on the streets, you do what you must to survive.”

The humor drops from his face. “I’ve offended you.”

“I’ll see you in an hour.” I glare at him before I turn toward the handle of my door, ready to escape back into my rooms.

“Sky, wait,” he says.

I pause, my hand gripping the gold-plated handle. I glance over at him, raising my brows, as if to ask, yes?

“I apologize. You’re right, I don’t know what that’s like.” Before I have the chance to respond, he pushes off the wall. “Shall we?”

What is he talking about? “Shall we what?”

“Go to the caves.” He says with a matter-of-fact tone. “You’re right, I haven’t looked there.”

Doesn’t he know they’re inaccessible now?

---